Survivin expression in colorectal carcinomas: correlations with clinicopathological parameters and survival.

Background: Survivin is a new member of the Inhibitor of apoptosis protein family that has a dual function as a mitotic regulator and apoptosis inhibitor. Survivin is prominently expressed in transformed cell lines and in many human cancers, including colorectal carcinoma. The aim of this study is to investigate the expression of survivin in colorectal carcinomas and its possible associations with clinicopathological parameters and patient survival.

Expression of cyclin D1 and Ki-67 in squamous cell carcinoma of the penis.

Background: Cyclin D1 plays an important role in regulating the progression of cells through the G1-phase of the cell cycle. The aim of the study was to investigate the expression of cyclin D1 and Ki-67 in squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) and in some premalignant lesions of the penis and to correlate it with clinicopathological parameters and patient survival.

Materials And Methods: Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues from 21 SCC, 7 lichen sclerosus, 5 condyloma acuminatum and 2 erythoplasia of Queyrat were stained by immunohistochemistry for cyclin D1 and Ki-67.

Expression of Smad4 and TGF-beta2 in colorectal carcinoma.

Background: TGF-beta, a potent natural antiproliferative agent, is believed to play an important role in suppressing tumorigenicity. This effect is mediated through Smad4, a tumour-suppressor gene, at chromosome 18q21, which affects gene transcription and controls cell growth. The aim of the study was to investigate the expression of Smad4 and TGF-beta2 in colorectal carcinomas and to correlate them with pathological parameters and patient survival.

Hyperglycaemia and insulinopenia in a neonate with cystic fibrosis.

Unlabelled: Abnormal glucose tolerance is a frequent late complication of cystic fibrosis (CF), but the prevalence of CF-related diabetes mellitus (CFRD) in children less than 10 y old is less than 2%. The youngest child with CFRD reported to date was 6 mo of age. Insulinopenia is the primary cause of abnormal glucose tolerance/CFRD, but it is unknown whether it may begin in the neonatal period.

Circulating peptide YY concentrations are higher in preterm than full-term infants and correlate negatively with body weight and positively with serum ghrelin concentrations.

Background: Peptide YY (PYY) and ghrelin are gastrointestinal tract-derived hormones that play roles in the regulation of food intake and energy balance. Negative energy balance often occurs in hospitalized preterm infants.

Methods: To measure serum concentrations of PYY in preterm and full-term infants and to investigate their correlations with anthropometric characteristics, food intake, and serum ghrelin concentrations, we measured serum PYY and ghrelin concentrations by RIA in 62 healthy preterm infants [mean (SD) gestational age, 32.

Serum lipids in preterm infants fed a formula supplemented with nucleotides.

Background: The effect of dietary nucleotides on lipid metabolism has been the subject of clinical studies with conflicting results. We measured serum triglycerides, total cholesterol (total-C), and lipoprotein cholesterol levels (HDL-C, LDL-C, and VLDL-C) in preterm neonates fed formula with and without nucleotide supplements.

Methods: This prospective, randomized, controlled study included 150 healthy preterm neonates (gestational age, 33.

Plasma and urine elastase alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor levels in neonatal urinary tract infection.

Objective: To examine whether plasma or urine elastase alpha(1)-proteinase inhibitor (E-alpha(1)-PI) levels could be used as a diagnostic marker of urinary tract infection (UTI) in neonates.

Subjects And Methods: Plasma and urine E-alpha(1)-PI levels were measured by immunoassay in 23 neonates with UTI at the time of admission and 72 h after the onset of treatment and in 10 'normal' neonates (i.e.

Late recurrence of herpes simplex virus meningoencephalitis in two infants.

Unlabelled: Two infants with recurrence of herpes simplex virus (HSV) encephalitis are reported. Both patients developed HSV encephalitis during their neonatal period and were treated with iv acyclovir. Long-term oral acyclovir prophylaxis was given thereafter.

Rectal-axillary temperature difference in febrile and afebrile infants and children.

The rectal-axillary temperature difference (R-A) was measured in the morning, at midday, and in the afternoon on 1,519 occasions in 1,149 children from birth to 5 years old. Of these, 302 children were febrile (rectal temperature > or = 38 degrees C) and 847 were afebrile. A wide range in R-A was found for each individual in both groups.

Blood-brain barrier permeability in "healthy" infected and stressed neonates.

The assessment of the blood-brain barrier permeability (BBBP) showed that BBBP values were higher in stressed neonates and those with bacterial meningitis than in "healthy" infants or neonates with aseptic meningitis. The BBBP determination may be helpful in differentiating bacterial from aseptic meningitis; the high BBBP should be considered in the management of stressed neonates.

Rectal-skin temperature difference in septicaemic newborn infants.

Serial skin (sole) and rectal temperatures were simultaneously taken from 55 healthy and 26 septicaemic newborn infants to find out prospectively whether septicaemic newborn infants have any thermoregulatory reaction to the septicaemia, and whether regular temperature measurements could help in the early diagnosis of septicaemia. The septicaemic infants were divided into three groups: the first comprised eight feverish infants, the second 11 with normal temperatures who were in relatively good clinical condition, and the third seven with normal temperatures who were in poor clinical condition. All 55 healthy babies had rectal temperatures of less than 37.

Comparative study of Harvey-ras oncogene expression with conventional clinicopathologic parameters of breast cancer.

We have previously examined the expression of the Harvey-ras (Ha-ras) oncogene related transcripts in human malignant breast tumors and in their respective normal tissue [Spandidos and Agnantis, Anticancer Res. 4: 269-272, 1984]. Our results revealed a significant elevation of Ha-ras transcripts in malignant compared to normal tissue.

Hearing loss in low-birth-weight infants.

The hearing of 98 perinatal intensive care survivors with a mean birth weight of 1,540 g was assessed at a mean age of 6 1/2 years. They represented 73% of the long-term survivors with birth weights of 1,800 g or less who had been cared for in our neonatal unit during the three-year period 1971 through 1973. Nine of the 98 infants had sensorineural hearing loss, and 14 had exudative otitis media.

Hyperglycemia in very low birth weight infants: a common iatrogenic problem.

From a total of 36 very low birth weight infants (less then 1200 g) admitted to our neonatal unit during an 18-month period, 7 were fed per os while the remaining 29 received, during the first 4 days of life, parenteral glucose infusion either as a supplement to oral feedings (n: 11) or as the only source of fluids (n: 18). Among these 29 infants 21 (72%) manifested hyperglycemia (blood glucose greater than 125 mg/dl). On the contrary none of the 7 infants receiving oral feedings exclusively manifested hyperglycemia.

A nursery outbreak of Serratia marcescens infection. Evidence of a single source of contamination.

An outbreak of Serratia marcescens infection occurred in a special neonatal unit. The epidemic involved seven newborns, one of whom died. Contaminated hand-washing brushes were implicated in the epidemic; their removal resulted in a dramatic elimination of the infection.

Noise pollution in neonatal units: a potential health hazard.

Hospital noise levels were measured for four consecutive days every two hours throughout the day in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), a normal nursery room and inside infant incubators when the latter were associated with different types of life-support equipment. There was a difference in the noise level between normal nursery and NICU, whereas a considerable increase of noise was recorded when the infant received supplemental oxygen, was under ventilator or when an air compressor was in operation. High noise levels were equally the same both in a.

Effect of prolonged illumination (phototherapy) on concentrations of luteinizing hormone in human infants.

Concentrations of luteinizing hormone in the serums of human neonates were altered when the neonates were exposed to prolonged, intense illumination (phototherapy) with their eyes covered. Concentrations decreased after 48 to 72 hours of exposure, increased 6 to 9 days after phototherapy, and subsequently returned to levels similar to those of controls. These data suggest that light may affect pituitary-gonadal function in the human neonate.

Cardiac complications after vaccination for smallpox.

A case of severe myocardial damage 8 days after smallpox vaccination is described in a 6-year-old boy. A huge embolus overriding the bifurcation of the aorta complicated the disease and was removed surgically. Attention is called to the rapid recovery of this patient, which may be attributed to the use of massive doses of antivaccinia gamma globulin.